The two defenders produced an excellent display on Saturday after a testing start to help prevent Sutton United from getting much joy out wide

Joe Widdowson on the ball for Leyton Orient at home to Dover Athletic (pic: Simon O'Connor).

It is no surprise the disciplined performances of full-backs Joe Widdowson and Myles Judd delighted Leyton Orient boss Justin Edinburgh on Saturday.

The 47-year-old, who played as a left-back at Tottenham Hotspur for a decade, saw his two defenders stand up to the challenge of facing leaders Sutton United.

Kieron Cadogan and Tom Bolarinwa looked set to give Judd and Widdowson a tough afternoon at Brisbane Road, but the O’s duo performed excellently to help their team secure a fine 4-1 victory – their first in the National League since September 2.

“Myles stuck to his task because he was up against a really good winger, who is very powerful,” said Edinburgh.

“I thought both stuck to the task and Joe was very disciplined in the second half after picking up the yellow card so early on. It was a real disciplined performance from the full-backs, that’s for sure.”

Widdowson went into the book of referee Adam Bromley with only 12 minutes played for a rash foul on Bolarwinwa close to Orient’s penalty area.

But the ex-Dagenham & Redbridge full-back hardly put a foot wrong after and in the end, got the better of his clash with the Grimsby Town loanee.

Judd, meanwhile, went from strength to strength against the league leaders with a display full of fight and determination.

The Redbridge-born 18-year-old made an important block in his six-yard area soon after Macauley Bonne had opened the scoring for Orient.

Both Widdowson and Judd were forced into a lot of defending during the opening half an hour, but they prevented Sutton from getting much joy out wide.

O’s then grew back into the contest with 30 minutes played and started the second period on top with Matt Harrold putting them two goals ahead in the 53rd minute.

A key moment occurred four minutes later when Cadogan appeared to be behind the Orient back four. Judd didn’t foul the winger, however, and managed to get back to block the cross before clearing.

It was a brilliant moment for the teenager and Edinburgh no doubt would have smiled inside when 60 seconds later opposite number Paul Doswell replaced Cadogan.

The confidence in Judd was evident to see now with the right-back harrying the U’s players and winning the ball back on numerous occasions.

He turned the ball over again in the 75th minute and passed into Jobi McAnuff before looking to support the stand-in captain by producing an over-lapping run.

Edinburgh put his hand out and told the youngster to hold his positions with Orient only two goals ahead and in no need to overcommit men forward.

It was a telling moment. Orient fans have seen over the last 12 months that Judd has all the attributes to be an outstanding full-back, but he needs guidance.

Under Edinburgh, he will learn from someone who played most of his career in the Premier League.

Judd is only getting this chance because of Jake Caprice’s stupid red card at Torquay United and the sending off may prove more costly than he first thought.